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Serological and molecular survey of Q fever in the dog population in southern Italy
1  Department of Veterinary Medicine an Animal Productions, University of Naples “Federico II”, Napoli, Italy
Academic Editor: Michael Hässig

Abstract:

Q fever epidemiology in ruminants was established, but the contribution of other species (including pets) is still controversial. In fact, this species, like cats, can be involved (even if rarely) in the transmission of Q fever to humans. In this work, we investigated the exposure and molecular prevalence of Q fever in the dog population of Campania, southern Italy. A total of 268 serum and 197 whole blood samples were collected from different categories of dogs. A multi-species ELISA was first used to assess the presence of antibodies, and, only on positive animals, further ELISA (phases I and II) and immunofluorescence assays were performed. About 6% of animals had specific antibodies against Coxiella burnetii, even if only four dogs tested positive in phase-specific ELISAs. The evaluation of risk factors did not identify any risk factors correlated with higher seroprevalences. A total of five blood samples were positive (real-time PCR), even though only two were confirmed by end-point PCR and sequencing. The sequencing revealed the similarity of the isolates with other strains described in dogs, in dog’s ticks, and ruminants in the same study area. In this study, we demonstrated how dogs are also exposed to Coxiella burnetii. Moreover, we demonstrated how surveillance of this pathogen is important at various levels and in different populations.

Keywords: Coxiella, dog, exposure, Q fever, zoonosis.

 
 
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